Street food is essentially cheap fare that is sold from a stall, food cart, food truck, or any other makeshift set up. The first evidence of street food was found in ancient Greece and ancient China, where snacks such as small fried fish were sold. In China, the street cuisine mainly catered for the poor, but wealthier individuals often sent servants to get them the street food which had a uniquely moreish taste.

Today, traditional street food vendors are still found in abundance in Asia, Africa, and South America, serving authentic local snacks and meals. Western cities have mainly developed a modern and more highbrow version of street food - in cities such as London and Toronto; street food markets contain options from all regions of the world, at a relatively high price. Some might say this is not an authentic expression of street food, which traditionally caters for the poor at the lowest prices. We gathered 20 photographs of authentic street grub from around the world to see what it looks like when you get the real deal.

Deep fried grasshoppers, silkworms, and scorpions for sale at the Night Market in Beijing, China

Deep fried grasshoppers, silkworms, and scorpions for sale at the Night Market in Beijing, China
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A petrol station converted into a food market in East London – here the street food is more expensive and varied, and it serves mainly as a place for people to come to socialise...
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A petrol station converted into a food market in East London – here the street food is more expensive and varied, and it serves mainly as a place for people to come to socialise in the evening
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